Penn State preview: Final fight looms for Lions in Wisconsin

Can PSU find a way to overcome big obstacles in Wisconsin?

Penn State's Adam Breneman celebrates in the end zone after scoring a touchdown during last week's game against Nebraska at Beaver Stadium. The Nittany Lions close their season with Saturday's trip to Wisconsin. (Chris Dunn — Daily Record/Sunday News)

Football changes as the skies gray and the Midwest winds bite and the ground begins to turn to rock.

The on-field collisions collect and compound upon one another.

There's only so much that bodies can absorb after three months of practice and games, especially teams without much backup support and bereft of the motivation of a league title or even an overlooked but sunny bowl game.

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Of course, those with big prizes ignore that kind of November pain. They drive through it, even use it as an intimidating force, of sorts.

That's who the Nittany Lions will run up against Saturday in Madison, Wis. The Badgers are a bold, fearsome opponent possibly headed to the BCS promised land, a team that suffocates on defense and steam rolls on offense.

One that resembles Penn State teams of the past.

But these Lions, with their depleted roster, have been banged up since the season's opening day in sultry Met-Life Stadium. Now, they are trying to hold strong on the final, frigid weekend of their year and rise up once more with everything they have.

The thing is, will they be able to do that with even one healthy running back, no less two?

Will their top defensive back be mobile enough?

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They will absolutely need all of that and more if they hope to make Saturday a second-half competition, to keep Wisconsin's rolling army from trampling them in Camp Randall Stadium.

There is good reason for the Badgers to be a stunning 24-point favorite.

To counter, Penn State must not only execute much more effectively on offense and special teams, it also must be as rested as possible.

"We usually hit (in practice) on Mondays, and we didn't. I believe that will help," O'Brien said. "I think Thanksgiving week, not having classes, being able to sleep in a little bit, come over, get some treatments in the training room and then come back after practice and get another treatment, I think that will help.

"And there's only one game left, so you should be ready to go out there and lay it on the line, I know that."

A few Lions, in particular, exude the kind of toughness O'Brien is talking about.

There is senior middle linebacker Glenn Carson: nothing flashy about the name, his style or personality. He swears he hasn't missed even one practice in four years.

Then there is Zach Zwinak, the 240-pounder who consistently runs to contact, breaking through tacklers, running over them, pulling them along amidst a pile of bodies.

It's like throwing a wrecking ball against the side of a building time and again and again.

The most telling stat from his 149-yard day last weekend? He didn't lose a single yard in 35 carries on a day fit for ice fishing.

"It's that time of year where Zach's really starting to bruise up on guys and really hitting his stride," said Penn State guard Miles Dieffenbach. "Things are just clicking in the run game right now.

"His physical style of play really takes a toll in that kind of weather."

The other thing, though, is that Zwinak has been playing with a bum wrist and shoulder, getting it nearly as good as he gives it. And his change-of-pace teammate, Bill Belton, missed last week with an bad shoulder and strep throat.

The Lions also are in danger of not having their best defensive back, Adrian Amos, at full strength with a sprained foot.

It's not the preferred mode for attacking a challenge like Wisconsin. The Badgers are huge in the trenches and rotate two of the top tailbacks around. Melvin Gordon averages 8.2 yards per carry and 125 per game with 12 touchdowns. James White averages 6.5 yards per carry, 116.5 per game with 13 touchdowns.

Their defense, meanwhile, excels at shutting down opponents of the same mindset. They yield only 99 yards per game on the ground.

"It's strength against strength," Dieffenbach said. "We got to establish our run game. We have to control the ball and capitalize on our 'shock plays,' and that's something I think we'll be able to do."